AANS Neurosurgeonhttp://www.aansneurosurgeon.org
Information and Analysis for Contemporary Neurosurgical PracticeTue, 03 Mar 2015 15:00:58 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=3.9.2Scientists Find Gene Vital to Central Nervous System Developmenthttp://www.aansneurosurgeon.org/2015/03/03/scientists-find-gene-vital-to-central-nervous-system-development/
http://www.aansneurosurgeon.org/2015/03/03/scientists-find-gene-vital-to-central-nervous-system-development/#commentsTue, 03 Mar 2015 15:00:58 +0000http://www.aansneurosurgeon.org/?p=7077Read More...]]>Researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have identified a gene that helps regulate how well nerves of the central nervous system are insulated — healthy insulation is vital for the speedy propagation of nerve cell signals. The findings, published in the journal Nature Communications, may have implications for human diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, in which the insulation is lost. The research focused on a gene called Gpr56, which manufactures a protein of the same name. During the study, researchers found that when the protein Gpr56 is disabled, there are too few oligodendrocytes to provide insulation for all of the axons. Still, the axons looked normal. In the relatively few axons that were insulated, the myelin also looked normal. However, the researchers observed many axons that were bare, and not wrapped in any myelin at all. Without Gpr56, the cells responsible for applying the insulation failed to reproduce themselves sufficiently, according to the study’s senior author. In a companion paper in the same issue of Nature Communications, researchers from Harvard University found similar defects in mice without Gpr56. In past research, evidence has shown that human defects in Gpr56 lead to brain malformations and are related to a lack of myelin. To read more about these studies, click here.
]]>http://www.aansneurosurgeon.org/2015/03/03/scientists-find-gene-vital-to-central-nervous-system-development/feed/0Discovery on Spinal Injury Reveals Unknown Immune Responsehttp://www.aansneurosurgeon.org/2015/03/02/discovery-on-spinal-injury-reveals-unknown-immune-response/
http://www.aansneurosurgeon.org/2015/03/02/discovery-on-spinal-injury-reveals-unknown-immune-response/#commentsMon, 02 Mar 2015 15:00:52 +0000http://www.aansneurosurgeon.org/?p=7070Read More...]]>Researchers from the department of neuroscience at the University of Virginia School of Medicine have newly discovered a beneficial immune response that occurs after injury to the central nervous system (CNS). By harnessing this response, researchers and physicians may be able to develop new and better treatments for brain and spinal cord injuries, develop tools to predict how patients will respond to treatment and learn how to better treat degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma and Lou Gehrig’s disease. The newly discovered immune response occurs independently of the process that typically sparks the immune system into action. In that process, the body identifies and attacks substances known as antigens, such as bacteria and viruses. “What we have shown is that the injured central nervous system talks to the immune system in a language that hasn’t been previously recognized in this context,” said the University of Virginia’s direction of the Center for Brain Immunology and Glia. “It sends ‘danger signals’ and activates the immune system very rapidly. These danger signals cause immune cells to be indispensable for immune mediated neuroprotection after CNS trauma.” Currently, there are no effective treatments to promote neuronal survival and regeneration after CNS injury. The new findings provide growing evidence that treatments for spinal injuries that historically relied on immune suppression are ineffective. To read more about this study, click here.
]]>http://www.aansneurosurgeon.org/2015/03/02/discovery-on-spinal-injury-reveals-unknown-immune-response/feed/0Brain Scans Predict Effectiveness of Talk Therapy to Treat Depressionhttp://www.aansneurosurgeon.org/2015/03/02/brain-scans-predict-effectiveness-of-talk-therapy-to-treat-depression/
http://www.aansneurosurgeon.org/2015/03/02/brain-scans-predict-effectiveness-of-talk-therapy-to-treat-depression/#commentsMon, 02 Mar 2015 07:00:23 +0000http://www.aansneurosurgeon.org/?p=7075Read More...]]>New research from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine discovered common neural patterns in those who would benefit heavily from therapy to treat major depression, according to a study published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology. The study followed 23 patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder who had not yet received treatment, who were then scanned using a resting-state functional connectivity MRI (rs-fcMRI) in order to view the processes of known neuron networks while the brain was not being engaged or challenged. Each subject was mapped for their unique neuron group activity, effectively creating a profile of their general brain activity. A 12-week program was then introduced using behavioral-activation talk-therapy, focused on immediate symptom concerns such as everyday function and health. Upon finishing the program, those who displayed the most progress shared two connectivity patterns within the anterior insular cortex, associated with focus control and the orbital frontal cortex, which is tasked with assigning positive or negative values to events. “In the future, we will be able to use non-invasive brain imaging technology to match patients with the treatment option that has the best chance of lifting their depression,” said the senior author of the study. “In my mind, that’s as important as developing new treatments. We already have a lot of excellent treatments but no way to know which one is best for a particular patient.” To learn more about this study, click here.
]]>http://www.aansneurosurgeon.org/2015/03/02/brain-scans-predict-effectiveness-of-talk-therapy-to-treat-depression/feed/0SuperAger Brains Distinctly Different Than Those of Peershttp://www.aansneurosurgeon.org/2015/02/27/superager-brains-distinctly-different-than-those-of-peers/
http://www.aansneurosurgeon.org/2015/02/27/superager-brains-distinctly-different-than-those-of-peers/#commentsFri, 27 Feb 2015 15:00:32 +0000http://www.aansneurosurgeon.org/?p=7064Read More...]]>In a recent study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, researchers from Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine compared so-called “SuperAger” brains (people age 80 and older who have memories as sharp as people 30 years younger) to people of similar ages and found the “brain signature” of the SuperAgers have a thicker anterior cingulate cortex, significantly fewer tanglers — a primary marker of Alzheimer’s disease — and a substantial supply of von Economo neurons, which are linked to higher social intelligence. “Identifying the factors that contribute to the SuperAgers’ unusual memory capacity may allow us to offer strategies to help the growing population of ‘normal’ elderly maintain their cognitive function and guide future therapies to treat certain dementias,” said the study’s lead author. During the study, MRI imaging and an analysis of the SuperAger brains (post mortem) showed the anterior cingulate cortex — the area responsible for intellectual function — of 31 SuperAgers was not only significantly thicker than the same area in 21 similarly-aged individuals with normal cognitive performance, it was also larger than the same area in a group of subjects aged 50-60. “It’s thought that these von Economo neurons play a critical role in the rapid transmission of behaviorally relevant information related to social interactions…which is how they may relate to better memory capacity,” said the senior author. To read more about this study, click here.
]]>http://www.aansneurosurgeon.org/2015/02/27/superager-brains-distinctly-different-than-those-of-peers/feed/0New Epigenetic Tools Could Rewrite Our Understanding of Memory and Morehttp://www.aansneurosurgeon.org/2015/02/26/new-epigenetic-tools-could-rewrite-our-understanding-of-memory-and-more/
http://www.aansneurosurgeon.org/2015/02/26/new-epigenetic-tools-could-rewrite-our-understanding-of-memory-and-more/#commentsThu, 26 Feb 2015 23:00:05 +0000http://www.aansneurosurgeon.org/?p=7062Read More...]]>During the past decade, advances in research have made clear that epigenetic mechanisms play a particular active role in the brain. For example, scientists have discovered that it is impossible to form and store new memories without epigenetic tags. Others have shown that epigenetic dysregulation is involved in many neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, depression and addiction. “Just about any neuronal phenomenon can be related to the central epigenetic programming of cell differentiation or cell function or information storage,” said a University of Alabama (UAB) professor, whose lab is investigating the effects of epigenetics in learning, memory and addiction. Now, an emerging set of molecular tools is giving scientists the ability to manipulate the epigenome in unprecedented ways. In two recent review papers, published in the journal Dialogues in Clinical Neurosciences, UAB researchers reported on precision epigenetic “editing” techniques, which can add and erase epigenetic marks at specific locations throughout the genome. Researchers are using the tools to gain a deeper understanding of epigenetic mechanisms in health and disease; further discoveries using these tools could pave the way to potential new epigenetic therapies. To read more about this study, click here.
]]>http://www.aansneurosurgeon.org/2015/02/26/new-epigenetic-tools-could-rewrite-our-understanding-of-memory-and-more/feed/0Sleeping on Stomach May Increase Risk of Sudden Death in Epilepsyhttp://www.aansneurosurgeon.org/2015/02/26/sleeping-on-stomach-may-increase-risk-of-sudden-death-in-epilepsy/
http://www.aansneurosurgeon.org/2015/02/26/sleeping-on-stomach-may-increase-risk-of-sudden-death-in-epilepsy/#commentsThu, 26 Feb 2015 19:00:19 +0000http://www.aansneurosurgeon.org/?p=7058Read More...]]>In a recent study published in the journal Neurology, researchers from the University of Chicago found that stomach sleepers with epilepsy may be at a higher risk for sudden unexpected death, drawing parallels to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). “Sudden unexpected death is the main cause of death in uncontrolled epilepsy and usually occurs unwitnessed during sleep,” said the study’s lead author. During the study, researchers reviewed 25 studies that included 253 sudden unexpected death cases where body position was recorded. The results of the study found that 73 percent of the cases, people died positioned on their stomachs, whereas 27 percent died in other sleep positions. Additionally, in a subgroup of 88 people, researchers found that those younger than age 40 were four-times more likely to be found on their stomachs at the time of sudden death, in comparison to people over age 40. “We’re not sure why this was more common in younger people,” the author said. “Similar to infant SIDS cases, adults often have an impaired ability to wake up after a seizure, especially a general seizure…Our findings highlight an important strategy for preventing sudden unexpected death in epilepsy — that ‘back is best.’” To read more about this study, click here.
]]>http://www.aansneurosurgeon.org/2015/02/26/sleeping-on-stomach-may-increase-risk-of-sudden-death-in-epilepsy/feed/0Certain Forms of Birth Control May Promote Brain-tumor Growthhttp://www.aansneurosurgeon.org/2015/02/25/certain-forms-of-birth-control-may-promote-brain-tumor-growth/
http://www.aansneurosurgeon.org/2015/02/25/certain-forms-of-birth-control-may-promote-brain-tumor-growth/#commentsWed, 25 Feb 2015 15:00:33 +0000http://www.aansneurosurgeon.org/?p=7051Read More...]]>In a recent study published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, researchers from Odense University Hospital and the University of Denmark found that women taking hormonal contraceptives — those containing estrogen, progestin or combination of both — showed higher rates of glioma development. The study raises questions about the connection between oral contraceptives and brain cancer, but should not yet be interpreted as a reason for women to stop taking birth control. Using data from Denmark’s national registries of health records, cancer cases and prescriptions, researchers focused on women from age 15 to 49 diagnosed with glioma, and then analyzed whether they were prescribed contraceptives, and for how long. Results of the study showed that overall, women who had used hormonal contraceptives at any point in their lives had a 50-percent higher risk of developing the brain tumors, compared to those who had not used them. Women who used the birth control for more than five years nearly doubled their risk of cancer. Additionally, women using progestin-only birth control had a slightly higher risk of developing gliomas; while it’s not clear why, researchers suspect that obesity may be playing a role. However, because gliomas are rare, the doubling of an already rare event is still a small risk. Glioma rates have not spiked since the introduction of hormonal contraceptives, and researchers agree that the correlation deserves discussion and more study. To read more about this study, click here.
]]>http://www.aansneurosurgeon.org/2015/02/25/certain-forms-of-birth-control-may-promote-brain-tumor-growth/feed/0Similar Outcomes with Surgical or Nonsurgical Treatment for Spinal Stenosishttp://www.aansneurosurgeon.org/2015/02/24/similar-outcomes-with-surgical-or-nonsurgical-treatment-for-spinal-stenosis/
http://www.aansneurosurgeon.org/2015/02/24/similar-outcomes-with-surgical-or-nonsurgical-treatment-for-spinal-stenosis/#commentsTue, 24 Feb 2015 19:00:24 +0000http://www.aansneurosurgeon.org/?p=7045Read More...]]>In a report recently published in the journal Spine, long-term outcomes for patients with spinal stenosis are comparable with surgery or conservative treatment. Although earlier reports suggest the advantages of surgery, the updated analysis finds no significant difference in pain, functioning or disability at the eight-year follow-up mark. The researchers analyzed data from the Spine Outcomes Research Trial (SPORT) — one of the largest clinical trials of surgery for spinal disorders. In SPORT, patients meeting strict criteria for spinal stenosis (or other common spinal diagnoses) were randomly assigned to either surgery or nonsurgical treatment (such as physical therapy and medications). Researchers analyzed 654 patients with spinal stenosis, treated at 13 hospitals in 11 states. Of these, 289 were randomly assigned to surgical or nonsurgical treatment. At the eight-year follow-up, surgery was performed in 70 percent of patients randomized to surgery, as well as 52 percent of those initially assigned to nonsurgical treatment. Long-term follow-up data were available for more than 50 percent of patients in both studies. In the “as-treated” analysis of the randomized study, surgery provided better outcomes through four years. However, with longer follow-up, the difference between treatments narrowed. From six to eight years, outcomes were not significantly different between surgical and nonsurgical treatment. The results have important implications for discussing the expected long-term outcomes of treatment for spinal stenosis. To read more about this report, click here.
]]>http://www.aansneurosurgeon.org/2015/02/24/similar-outcomes-with-surgical-or-nonsurgical-treatment-for-spinal-stenosis/feed/0Tackle Football Before Age 12 Increases Risk of Memory, Thinking Problemshttp://www.aansneurosurgeon.org/2015/02/23/tackle-football-before-age-12-increases-risk-of-memory-thinking-problems/
http://www.aansneurosurgeon.org/2015/02/23/tackle-football-before-age-12-increases-risk-of-memory-thinking-problems/#commentsMon, 23 Feb 2015 19:00:59 +0000http://www.aansneurosurgeon.org/?p=7021Read More...]]>According to a recent study published in the journal Neurology, former NFL players who participated in tackle football before the age of 12 were more likely to have memory and thinking problems in adulthood. During the study, researchers tested 42 former NFL players with an average age of 52, all of whom had experienced memory and thinking problems for at least six months. Half of the players participated in tackle football before the age of 12, and half did not. The number of concussions sustained was similar between the two groups. The results of the study found that compared with former NFL players who started football at age 12 or later, former players who started before age 12 performed significantly worse on all test measures, even after researchers took into account the total number of years of football played and the age of the players at the time of the tests. However, researchers were unable to assess the total number of head impacts. “Our study suggests that there may be a critical window of brain development during which repeated head impacts can lead to thinking and memory difficulties later in life,” said the study’s lead author. “If larger studies confirm this association, there may be a need to consider safety changes in youth sports.” To read more about this study, click here.
]]>http://www.aansneurosurgeon.org/2015/02/23/tackle-football-before-age-12-increases-risk-of-memory-thinking-problems/feed/0Aspirin Overused for Primary Prevention of Stroke, Cardiovascular Eventshttp://www.aansneurosurgeon.org/2015/02/23/aspirin-overused-for-primary-prevention-of-stroke-cardiovascular-events/
http://www.aansneurosurgeon.org/2015/02/23/aspirin-overused-for-primary-prevention-of-stroke-cardiovascular-events/#commentsMon, 23 Feb 2015 15:00:41 +0000http://www.aansneurosurgeon.org/?p=7016Read More...]]>According to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, aspirin is too often used to prevent stroke and other cardiovascular risks in people for whom guidelines suggest no benefit. The study, which examined a national registry of suggested cardiology practices, found 11.6 percent of aspirin use in primary prevention by cardiologists was among people below the recommended six to 10 percent-year baseline risk threshold. That rate ranged from as low as zero percent in some practices to as high at 71 percent in others. The variation across practices was so significant that a patient would be 63-percent more likely to get aspirin inappropriately at one randomly-selected office than an identical patient at another randomly-chosen practice. In patients with low cardiovascular disease risk and no prior events, aspirin use has not been associated with reduced cardiovascular events, noted one of the study’s editors. “In fact, in this primary prevention population, the increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and hemorrhagic stroke associate with aspirin use outweighs any potential benefit in cardiovascular risk reduction.” Notably, the majority of inappropriate use was in women (79.7%), for whom inappropriate use accounted for 16.6 percent of all aspirin use compared with 5.3 percent among men. Inappropriate use was also typically at a younger age, with an average of 50 versus 66 among appropriate use patients. To read more about this study, click here.
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